Ulster University's Musicians Score On BBC

The BBC is to showcase music from the University of Ulster with 'Magee New Music' - works by composers past and present at the University of Ulster - broadcast to a nationwide BBC radio audience following a free concert by the Ulster Orchestra at St Cecilia's College in Londonderry next week.

The orchestra of around 70 musicians, under conductor, Jurjen Hempel, will perform a special Radio 3 'Invitation Concert' in the college's state-of-the-art auditorium on Tuesday, May 3, at 8pm.

It will be recorded as part of the 'new music' content on Radio 3's primary contemporary music weekly programme, 'Hear and Now', to be broadcast at a later date.

Professor Frank Lyons, who is one of the featured composers, said: "The concert is very significant in that it features exclusively works by composers who are closely associated with the University of Ulster and Magee - some as teachers and others have been students here.

"It will also mark a new development in the partnership between the School of Creative Arts at Magee and the Ulster Orchestra which we hope will see a series of performances and link-ups in the run-up to, and embracing, UK City of Culture 2013."

Next Tuesday's recorded concert will include two works that have been commissioned by Radio 3 - one entitled 'Unbreakable', by Professor Lyons, and the other, 'A Tale of Fractured Minds', a world premiere, by Derry composer Christopher Norby.

Professor of Music Frank Lyons is Director of the University's Arts and Humanities Research Institute.

Christopher Norby gained his Bachelor of Music (BMus) degree at Magee and recently obtained a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in Composition.

The other works on the programme are by David Morris, Ian Wilson and Brian Irvine.

Lecturer David Morris taught composition at Magee, Ian Wilson gained the first ever PhD in Composition awarded by Ulster and Brian Irvine is currently Visiting Professor at the School of Creative Arts.

(BMcC/GK)